The classifications of Botafogo and Atlético Mineiro defined the unprecedented 13th consecutive final in the Copa Libertadores. The competition has not had a repeat decision since 2011, when Santos and Peñarol re-edited the final clash of the 1962 edition — the Brazilian team won on both occasions.
The clash between the Rio team and the Minas Gerais team will be Botafogo’s first appearance in the tournament’s decision. The club had stopped in the semi-final stages in 1963 and 1973, years of its best campaigns.
In its most recent participation, in 2017, General Severiano’s team was eliminated in the quarterfinals. Three years later, in 2020, it experienced one of the worst years in its history, with its third relegation to Series B of the Brazilian Championship. But he reacted.
Atlético Mineiro, in turn, is back in the decisive phase 11 years after reaching the final for the first time. Champion in 2013, with victory over Olimpia, from Paraguay, the club dreams of a second continental championship.
The team from Minas Gerais has competed in the tournament consecutively since 2021, when it advanced to the semifinal stage. In the two most recent editions, in 2022 and 2023, it ended in the quarterfinals.
To form this unprecedented final, Atlético Mineiro and Botafogo had a tough path in the knockout stage, starting in the round of 16. Each eliminated three continental champions. The Minas Gerais team beat San Lorenzo, Fluminense and River Plate; the Rio team defeated Palmeiras, São Paulo and Peñarol.
“The main objective was completely achieved, which was to reach the final, a historic milestone”, celebrated Botafogo coach Artur Jorge. “It’s a group of athletes that will go down in the club’s history.”
Atlético Mineiro coach, Gabriel Milito, also valued his squad after qualifying. “I have the great advantage of having good players, and that makes my task simpler. They are good players, players who want to win, who understand how they have to compete. In the end, we will build this, which It’s not easy,” he said.
The decision is scheduled for November 30th, at the Monumental de Núñez stadium, home of River Plate, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
It will be in Argentina that Brazil will once again touch the Argentines in the ranking of the biggest winners of the Libertadores. The Argentines have 25 trophies, won by eight clubs, and the Brazilians will confirm the 24th cup — if Atlético Mineiro wins the title, the country will remain with 11 different champions; Botafogo is trying to be the 12th club in the group.
The difference has fallen in recent years due to Brazil’s dominance in the Libertadores. Since 2019, there has been at least one club from the country in the final. The two were Brazilians in 2020, 2021 and 2022, as they will be in 2024.
In 2020, Palmeiras beat Santos. In 2021, the Alviverde team was champion again, over Flamengo. In 2022, the red-black team from Rio surpassed Athletico Paranaense.
The clash between Atlético Mineiro and Botafogo will be the sixth only with teams from Brazil. The first was in 2005, when São Paulo beat Athletico. The following year, Internacional surpassed the Tricolor team.
